In this 4-part feature, PerformInk’s INSIDE series takes you into the world of Kansas City Repertory Theatre’s production of A RAISIN IN THE SUN through blog posts written by the people behind the scenes. To read past INSIDE articles click here.

Part Two: Chip & Marissa Talk 1 st Rehearsal Excitement

By Marissa Wolf and Chip Miller

February 26, 2017: In our weekly meeting about RAISIN, we took a moment to reflect on the eve of rehearsals commencing.

First rehearsal. Photo courtesy of KC Rep

Marissa – Hey Chip, we start rehearsals in a couple of days! Wow!

Chip – Hey Marissa, Can you believe it? After a year of anticipation? We’re finally here.

M – Maybe we should talk about the final details that are falling into place now? And what are the things we look forward to discovering in the rehearsal room?

C – Things are indeed falling into place – the set design model [by Antje Ellerman] is in and looking gorgeous. We’re finalizing the furniture and its placement, which gives us a greater sense of what the space will be. The physical life of the play is becoming a grander reality, and we’re about to jump into the playground of the playing space. The costumes are under way in the costume shop. We’re in the midst of investigating the sound design ideas with the amazing Justin Ellington.

M – I know! I find this moment in the process so filled with life and possibility. Checking out the period newspaper under construction in the prop shop, and the amazing dresses that are currently in muslin waiting to be fitted on our actors is so exciting!

C – And of course, this is when the nerves set in. We’ve done all the work we can do. On Monday we enter the world of “I don’t know” which is terrifying and also thrilling. Those bodies in that room will have the answers, and we’ll discover how the world of RAISIN lives and breathes together. I’ve been dreaming about this for almost a year and I can’t believe the day is finally here!

First rehearsal. Photo courtesy of KC Rep

CHIP MILLER (Director) KC Rep: Assistant Artistic Director. Acting: The Fantasticks. Directing: 4:48 Psychosis (The Buffalo Room); David George’s Christmas Ain’t A Drag (The Madrid). Assistant Directing: Evita, Roof of the World, Sunday in the Park with George, Stillwater, Hair, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, Romeo & Juliet, The Tallest Tree in the Forest, American Buffalo, Waiting for You (on the Corner of 13th and Walnut), Death of a Salesman (KC Rep); Justice in the Embers (The Living Room); 600 Highwaymen’s Empire City (University Settlement); Reporting Live (NYMF 2012); Venice (Public Theatre); Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike (Baltimore Centerstage). Education: BFA: New York University.

MARISSA WOLF (Director) KC Rep: The Diary of Anne Frank. Regional: Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Marin Theatre Company, San Francisco Playhouse, Shotgun Players, Cutting Ball Theatre, The Magic Theatre, and Berkeley Playhouse. Ms. Wolf previously served as the Artistic Director of Crowded Fire Theater in San Francisco for six seasons, where she developed and produced work by a vanguard of top emerging playwrights including Christina Anderson (Kansas City born and raised playwright), Lauren Gunderson, Young Jean Lee, Christopher Chen, Aditi Brennan Kapil, Caridad Svich, Thomas Bradshaw, and Frances Ya-Chu Cowhig. In her first year as Director of New Works/Associate Artist at Kansas City Rep, Ms. Wolf has launched OriginKC, a program that supports the creation, development, and production of new work from a diverse body of major national playwrights. Awards: Best Director (nomination, Broadway World San Francisco); the Bay Area Critics Circle Award; the Bret C. Harte Directing Internship at Berkeley Repertory Theatre for two years. Education: BA, Vassar College, additional training at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. Upcoming: Ms. Wolf will co-direct A Raisin in the Sun with Chip Miller in the 2016-2017 season, as well as the world premiere of Man in Love by Christina Anderson in the 2017 OriginKC: New Works Festival.

A RAISIN IN THE SUN runs March 24th – April 6th. For more information visit kcrep.org.